STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2509

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    S.B. No. 2030

       S.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2016

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 2030, S.D. 1, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO CAMPAIGN SPENDING,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to specify that the financing of certain types of dissemination, distribution, republication, and use of election campaign material prepared by a candidate is not considered a contribution to the candidate.

 

     Specifically, this measure provides that contributions to candidates exclude financing for the use of campaign material:

 

     (1)  By the candidate that prepared the material;

 

     (2)  In communications opposing the candidate who prepared the material; or

 

     (3)  In a news story or editorial by an independent broadcast station or publisher of periodicals or newspapers,

 

in addition to the existing exemption for the use of campaign material by candidates for Governor or Lieutenant Governor to support co-candidates in the general election.

 

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Campaign Spending Commission.

 

     Your Committee finds that state law and federal regulations differ in regard to whether the financing of certain types of dissemination, distribution, or republication of campaign materials constitutes a contribution to a candidate.  This measure promotes clarity and consistency in the democratic process by amending the state law regarding those activities to more closely align with federal regulations.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2030, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

 

 

 

________________________________

JILL N. TOKUDA, Chair